20
Monday morning came too fast, but Amanda wasn't about to rush into the office looking like she had just survived a weekend of tequila and questionable decisions.
No, today, she took her time.
She stood in front of her mirror longer than usual, carefully applying her makeup, making sure everything was blended just right.
Her hair, usually thrown into a quick, professional updo, was left down in loose waves.
And instead of her usual office attire—something practical and comfortable—she reached for something a little more. .. intentional.
A fitted blouse, tucked into high-waisted slacks that hugged her in all the right places. Just enough effort to make a statement, but not so much that it looked like she had tried.
Because she hadn't.
Not for anyone.
Definitely not for Ericka.
Satisfied, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door, ignoring the tiny voice in her head that kept asking what exactly she was trying to prove.
By the time she arrived at the office, it was still mostly empty, just the quiet hum of early morning silence surrounding her. Perfect. She could get a head start on the day, focus on work, and—
The elevator dinged.
Amanda barely had time to process before the familiar sound of heels clicking against the floor filled the space.
She felt Ericka before she even saw her.
And when she finally turned, there she was—walking toward her, looking effortlessly composed, as always.
Ericka glanced at Amanda, then slowed slightly, her gaze flicking down ever so briefly before meeting her eyes again.
"You look nice."
Amanda blinked.
It was said so casually, so simply, that for a second, she wondered if she had imagined it. But no, Ericka was still standing there, watching her, waiting for a response.
Amanda cleared her throat, gripping her coffee cup a little tighter than necessary. "Thanks."
Ericka's smirk was barely noticeable, but it was there. "Early start?"
Amanda nodded, forcing herself to keep the conversation moving. "Figured I'd get ahead of the schedule."
"Good," Ericka said smoothly. Then, after a pause, "You sure you're up for another challenge?"
Amanda's breath caught slightly, but she kept her expression neutral. "Depends on what it is."
Ericka tilted her head, considering her. "You'll find out soon enough."
Then, without another word, she turned and walked toward her office, leaving Amanda standing there, heart beating faster than it had any right to.
The workday began as it always did—emails, schedules, and the never-ending stream of tasks that kept the company running smoothly. Amanda forced herself to focus, pushing aside the way Ericka's eyes had lingered on her this morning.
She told herself it didn't mean anything.
It was just a passing comment. A simple acknowledgment. Nothing more.
Except... it felt like more.
She exhaled, straightening the documents on her desk before diving into the morning's priorities. The investor call needed final confirmation, Ericka had back-to-back meetings, and there were at least a dozen messages she needed to filter through before forwarding anything to Ericka.
By mid-morning, the office was fully awake, the once-quiet space now buzzing with the usual energy of a Monday. Employees rushed past, meetings started, and Amanda moved through her tasks like a machine, checking things off one by one.
Ericka had barely been in her office for more than a few minutes at a time. She was constantly on the move, commanding rooms, making decisions, navigating negotiations with ease.
Amanda didn't know why she was watching her so closely.
She wasn't.
Not really.
She was just... doing her job. Making sure everything ran smoothly. That was all.
By noon, she had arranged the conference room for Ericka's investor call, ensured all necessary reports were printed, and had a fresh coffee ready on her desk.
When Ericka finally stepped out of her office, Amanda handed her the final meeting notes without needing to be asked.
Ericka took them, glancing up. "Efficient as always."
Amanda shrugged. "It's what you pay me for."
Ericka's lips twitched slightly. "That, and keeping up with me."
Amanda narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing something in her tone. "And am I?"
Ericka's smirk deepened. "We'll see."
And with that, she walked into the meeting, leaving Amanda standing there, pulse a little too quick, mind racing.
Amanda returned to her desk, pretending like that exchange hadn't made her stomach flip. She was too good at her job to let a little playful banter distract her—at least, that's what she told herself.
Still, she found herself glancing at the clock more than usual, tracking the time as Ericka's investor call stretched past the thirty-minute mark.
When the conference room doors finally opened, Amanda perked up, watching as Ericka walked out, her usual composed expression giving nothing away. If the meeting had gone well, she didn't show it. If it had gone poorly, she hid it even better.
The other executives exited in clusters, some talking among themselves, others tapping at their phones. One of them, a man from the legal department, stopped by Amanda's desk.
"Ericka wants a revised copy of the contract from today's call sent to her by four," he said. "She had some... concerns."
Amanda nodded, already making a mental note to follow up. "Got it."
As he left, Amanda stood, walking toward the conference room just as Ericka turned back inside, still flipping through a file.
Amanda leaned against the doorframe. "So, I'm guessing you weren't entirely sold on the deal?"
Ericka didn't look up right away. "I don't like vague terms. Especially when they try to sneak them into the fine print."
Amanda smirked. "So you tore them apart in there?"
Ericka finally glanced up, arching a brow. "I negotiated."
Amanda crossed her arms. "Right. And when you negotiate, people tend to leave looking like they just survived a war."
Ericka let out a soft hum of amusement, closing the file. "They'll live."
Amanda shook her head with a small laugh, stepping inside. "Want me to push legal to prioritize the revised draft?"
"Yes," Ericka said, setting the folder on the table. "And make sure I have the final review by the end of the day."
"Already on it."
Amanda turned to leave, but Ericka's voice stopped her.
"By the way," she said, her tone light but pointed. "You're keeping up well today."
Amanda glanced back, raising a brow. "And here I thought I was always keeping up."
Ericka smirked. "Maybe. But I did say you'd have your next challenge soon."
Amanda's stomach tightened slightly. "And?"
Ericka took her time responding, picking up her coffee cup and taking a slow sip before looking at Amanda again. "Clear your schedule after work. I'll text you the details."
Amanda blinked. "That's the challenge?"
Ericka tilted her head slightly, as if considering her. "It's the beginning of it."
Amanda's mind raced, but she forced herself to stay collected. "Fine. I'll play along."
Ericka's smirk deepened. "Good."